Apparatus for tieing a bundle of cables

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for tieing a bundle of cables with the aid of a strap includes holding means for a lock, tensioning means for the strap, operating means for causing a pin to secure the strap and the lock to each other, and cutting means for removing excessive strap material.

[151' 3,670,782 [451 June 20,1972

United States Patent Kabel [54] APPARATUS FOR TIEING A BUNDLE [58] Heldof Search ............................140/931, 93.4, l23.6; 100/33 PB;29/522, 526

OF CABLES [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] lnventor:Heinrich Kabel, Quickbom, Holstein, Germany [73] Assignee: PaulHellermann G.m.b.H.,

Pinneberg 3,179,128 4/1965Price.....................................140/932 near Hamburg, GermanyJune 12, 1970 [21] App]. No.2 57,852

[22] Filed:

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 667,286, Sept.12, 1967, Pat. No. 3,570,554, which is a division of Ser. No. 446,855,April 9, 1965, Pat. No. 3,353,227.

B21: 9/02 10 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures [52] [51] Int Cl M AWPkiTENTEnJunzo 1972 SHEET 2 OF 6 ln ventar:

HEM) RICH KA 551. 7/1 W W x PATENTEU JUR 2 0 I972 SHEET 30F 6' lnvenlvrHem/men KAB a,

WW M P'A'TE'N'TEDJUMO m2 SHEET 5 OF 6 In van for: H E/A/R/cH KA BELAPPARATUS FOR TIEING A BUNDLE F CABLES The present application is adivision of my copending application Ser. No. 667,286, filed Sept. 12,1967, which in turn is a division of my application Ser. No. 446,855,filed Apr. 9, l965, now US. Pat. Nos. 3,570,554 and 3,353,227,respectively.

The present invention concerns apparatus for tieing cable harnesses orthe like with a strap which is placed around them and which has its endsheld fast in a lock.

A large number of such devices are already known. The difficulty in thisconnection is always to assure a dependable and nevertheless simplefastening in the lock of the ends of the strap which has been placedaround the cable harness which is to be tied. This has been done forinstance by twisting the ends of the strap together, by clamping them inthe lock by means of a screw, by plastically deforming .them togetherwith the lock (crate straps). by winding them on a mandrel in the lock(tubular straps") or by providing the straps at given intervals withholes or other recesses which are either continuous or present only inthe surface and into which locking members associated with the lockengage.

When a strap which has the same cross-section over its entire length isused, and therefore a strap without holding recesses, the lock isgenerally relatively complicated, since the holding forces must then beapplied by friction or deforma tion. On the other hand, those devices inwhich the strap is provided with holding recesses have the disadvantagethat the strap is relatively expensive although the lock can be ofsimple construction.

For various purposes of use and as a function of the material of whichthe straps used consists, such devices of this type have gained afoothold in actual practice.

In all cases it is desirable to be able to take the strap from anendless roll. One normally. however, proceeds in the manner thatpredetermined lengths of strap are functionally combined, directly foruse, with a lock. This has the disadvantage that the length of strap. inview of the great variation in the diameter of the cable harnesses andsince a certain amount must protrude for the locking, must always bemade ample, thus resulting in considerable losses, as well as the factthat in view of the difierent lengths required, a substantial amount ofmaterial must be kept in stock. The losses in material are particularlydisadvantageous when expensive materials are employed. for instancepolyamide plastics. However, these materials are practicallyindispensable for cable ties since, in contradistinction to polyvinylchloride and polyethylene, they have the resistance to high temperaturesrequired in airplane construction and, in contradistinction to metal,are resilient and insulating.

For example, there are already known cable straps of this material whichconsist of a length of strap on one end of which there is located a lockthrough which the other end of the strap is passed, and after thelocking, secured therein by twisting. ln order to avoid large losses ofmaterial, it is always necessary in the case of this strap to maintaindifferent sizes in stock. as a result of which production costs andstock costs are increased.

[1 is furthermore known that it is possible to form individualconductors into cable trunks by means of perforated cable straps. Theperforated strap, generally made of non-rigid polyvinyl chloride, isprovided over its entire length with holes spaced equally apart throughwhich buttons having the shape of collar buttons are pressed. As aresult of the softness which is necessary in order to be able to pushthe buttons through-it frequently happens that the strap is subjected toexcessive elongation and that the holes which were originally roundbecome deformed and elongated. In such case, the buttons may jump out incase of vibration so that these ties are too undependable for manyfields of use. For this reason, their use is greatly limited.Furthermore, their use is also limited by the fact that due to therequired softness, the straps can consist practically only of polyvinylchloride, which material, however. is unsuitable for operatingtemperatures above 70 C.

By the present invention, there is provided apparatus for tie ing cableharnesses by means of a strap which is placed around same and the endsof which are accommodated in and held fast by a lock which ischaracterized by its particular simplicity. It has the advantage,furthermore. that it can be readily made of materials which have higherresistance to temperature, both plastics and metals, and that the strapand the lock can be manufactured individually and combined so one canwork from a roll. Furthermore, the strap can be of constantcross-section over its entire length so that it is cheap to produce.

The invention is characterized by the fact that the previouslyunperforated ends of the strap are engaged and penetrated or pierced by:a pin and the latter held fast in the lock. There is thus obtained aform-locked locking of the ends of the strap in the lock, this beingobtained in a very easy manner, in that, namely, the locking pinsimultaneously serves to create in the strap itself the cooperatingformation necessary for the form-locked connection. ln contradistinctionto the use of perforated straps, the strap in accordance with thepresent invention can be tightened to any desired extent without onebeing restricted upon closing by the distance between existing holes,and furthermore no specific minimum softness of the material of whichthe strap is made is required, as is necessary when buttons are to bepassed through the holes of a perforated strap.

The apparatus can be operated in accordance with the invention in themanner that the passage hole for the locking pin is punched into theends of the strap by the pin in cooperation with a bore in the lockitself acting as a die; however, there is particularly advantageous anembodiment in which the formation of the passage hole in the ends of thestrap is associated with plastic deformation. In this way, namely, theedges of the holes are rounded so that they cannot easily tear. It isparticularly advantageous in this connection if a passage hole is notactually produced but rather if the pin, in cooperation with acorrespondingly larger bore in the lock, merely deforms the strap intocup-shape at its passage point so that the strap is not injured and noreduction in the cross-section of the band occurs. For this purpose, thestrap advisedly consists of material which can be deep-drawn and inparticular of polyamide. lts cross-section is preferably trapezoidal.The edges can also be rounded.

The lock consists in accordance with the invention of two bridges whichdefine a slot to receive the ends of the strap and which are rigidlyconnected with each other and have one or more boreholes extendingtransverse to the slot, each of which boreholes receives a pin. Theholding of the pin in the lock can be achieved in accordance with theinvention by friction in a narrow borehole, but it is frequently moreadvantageously obtained by a form-locked connection. In accordance withthe invention, this form-locked connection can be produced by plasticdeformation of the parts concerned during the closing process. This isdone with particular advantage in the manner that portions of theboreholes of the lock are made of relatively large diameter and thematerial of the cold-deformable pin is forced by axial compressionduring the closing process into said widened portions thus producing alocking action.

One particularly advantageous form of the strap lock is characterized bythe fact that the locking pin in the original condition of the lock isintegral with the latter, assuming a position which corresponds to itsstarting position upon the closing process, and that it is connectedwith the rest of the body of the lock by bridges of material which caneasily be broken. This result can be obtained relatively easily by theinjection molding of locks of plastic.

The invention comprises a tool by which the lock of the invention can beclosed. This tool is characterized by a holding device for the lock, bya tensioning device for the strap, the ends of which are passed throughthe lock, by a thrust device for the pin and possibly by cutting meansfor cutting off the ends of the strap extending beyond the lock afterthe locking.

It is particularly advantageous for the tool also to contain a roll forthe strap from which the strap is conducted to the holding device of thelook, as well as a holding clamp for the loose end of the strap whichhas been brought back to the rear. In this connection, the tensioning ofthe strap can, in accordance with the invention, be effected by backwardrotation of the roller strap, while the loose end is held by the holdingclamp.

The thrust or pushing device for the pin consists advantageously of apressure ram which is movable in transverse direction to an abutmentagainst which the lock lies.

In accordance with the invention, the tool can be combined with amagazine for the locks, from which, after each closing process, a newlock is transferred automatically or semi-automatically into the holdingdevice of the tool. When locks which are not simultaneously combinedwith a pin are used, a magazine for pins can also be provided.

The new tool makes possible the rapid production of firm cableharnesses, even by unskilled workers. The work can be carried outwithout difficulty even at places which are difficult of access. Thetieings produced in this manner satisfy all mechanical and thermalstresses occurring, such as for instance known in airplane construction,vehicle construction or construction of electrical apparatus orappliances.

Further details of the apparatus of the invention will become evidentfrom the following description of preferred embodiments, given by way ofexample in the drawing, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective diagrammatic showing of a cable tie;

FIGS. 2 to 4 are perspective diagrammatic showings of different locks,in accordance with the invention, partially in section;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are an elevation in perspective and a crosssection througha particularly preferred embodiment of the lock;

FIGS. 7 to 9 are cross-sections through said lock in different stages ofthe process;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lock corresponding to the lock ofFIG. 5 with two locking pins and boreholes;

FIG. 11 shows a number of interconnected locks;

FIG. 12 is a section through a lock corresponding to the lock of FIG. 6,which is integral with a strap,

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the lock;

FIG. 14 is a perspective showing of a tool according to the invention;

FIGS. I5 and 16 are longitudinal sections through the entire tool, and

FIGS. [7 to 22 are partial sections through the tool in various positionof the parts.

FIG. I shows schematically an elongated bundle I of electric conductorswhich are surrounded by the strap 2 whose ends are held by the lock 3,the conductors thus being clamped and held as a cable harness. Thisstrap can furthermore be provided with an attachment base for the cableharness by means of which the harness can be fastened for instance to astructural part. Such fastening devices in combination with cable tiesare well known.

The strap used with cable harnesses advantageously consists of aninsulating, resilient plastic. In order that the insulations of theconductors not be damaged, it may be of trapezoidal cross-section andhave rounded corners. When used for hose clamps and similar purposes,the strap can also consist of metal.

The cross-sections shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 through different locksillustrate different methods of attaching the strap ends in accordancewith the invention. The locks consist in all cases of a lock body 4which consists of two bridges which define a straight passageway or slot8 which serves to receive the ends 5 and 6 of the strap. As will beevident from the drawings, the lock body 4 is arranged so that thepassageway 8 extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of theelongated bundle of cables.) A borehole to receive a pin which piercesthe ends of the strap extends transversely through the slot 8.

In FIG. 2, the pin 7 is pointed. It is pushed forcefully forward throughthe lock body 4 which is made of sufficiently resilient material that itneed not be provided with an initial bore. However, it is moreadvantageous for at least narrow boreholes to be initially present. Thepin is then held by friction against the boreholes whose diameter issmaller than the diameter of the pin. The lock can consist in theconnection of resilient plastic or metal and the pin of steel.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the passage borehole is alreadypresent in advance in the lock. The side of the borehole which is thesecond side to be penetrated the pin 9 has a sharp inner edge 10 whichin cooperation with the front edge of the pin 9 serves as cutting edge.A sharp passage hole through the ends of the strap is produced. 11 arepieces of the strap which have been punched out.

In order to avoid a weakening of the strap and in order to achieve aharmonious transfer of the forces between the strap and the lock, it isadvantageous to use, to a certain extent, a cup-shaped development. Suchan embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the pin 12 lies in apair of coaxial boreholes l3 and 14. While the diameter of the borehole13 may be somewhat adapted to the diameter of the pin, the borehole 14has a diameter which is relatively large so that upon thepushing-through of the pin 12, the strap is pulled into said largerborehole and is deep-drawn in cup-shape, in the manner indicated at 15.It is clear that this type of deformation results in the least weakeningof the cross-section of the strap, since no damaging of the strap at alltakes place.

During the further course of the closing method, which is shown in anintermediate stage in FIG. 4, the final stage shown in FIG. 9 and whichwill be described further below is reached.

The purpose pursued by the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 can be attained inpart-and in many cases, this will be sufficient-also in the manner thatonly the edges of the hole to be produced are first of all deformed inthe manner shown in FIG. 4 and after this deformation, the strap iscompletely pierced through. However, exclusive plastic deformation asshown in FIG. 4 is preferred and in the following, reference will be hadin particular to this method. The following explanations of additionaldetails can, however, be transferred extensively also to otherembodiments without going beyond the scope of the present invention.

In FIG. 13, there is shown the embodiment of a lock in which the pin I6is integral with the body 4 of the lock. In order to close the lock, theupper and lower bridges l7 and 18 of the lock are pressed together inthe axial direction of the pin 16 and of the borehole 19. The pin 16passes through the strap lying between the bridges l7 and 18, penetratesinto the borehole 19 and is held fast here either by the plasticdeformation of the lock which has taken place or in any other manner,for instance in the same manner as the pin 12 in FIG. 9.

The connecting of pin and lock-body can be effected in particular alsoby form-locked interlocking of corresponding formations on the pin andon the periphery of the boreholes which receive it. Thus, for instance,the pin could be provided with circumferential elevations which grip incorresponding peripheral grooves in the borehole after the body of thelock or the pin has been elastically deformed by the introduction of thepin.

The form-locked connection can, however, also be brought about inaccordance with the invention in the manner that the lock'body or thepin is plastically deformed during the closing process. For thispurpose, the boreholes can be provided with peripheral widenings intowhich the cold-deformable material of the pin is forced by the axialpressure exercised upon the closing process.

One such peripheral widening is for instance the conical portion 20 ofthe borehole in FIG. 4.

A particularly preferred form of the lock in accordance with theinvention is shown in FIGS. 5 to 9. The lock consists in this case of alock-body 4 which has a lower borehole l3 and an upper borehole 14 whichare coaxial to each other. The pin 12 is integral with the body 4 of thelock. In the starting position required for the closing process, it islocated in the borehole 13. connected with its wall by thin bridges ofmaterial 21. These bridges of material can extend circumferentially oralso consist of individual radial arms.

The diameters of the boreholes 13 and 14 are greater than the outsidediameter of the pin 12. The borehole 14 has at its top a conical outwardflaring 20. Facets 22 extend to the slot 8 serving to receive the ends 5and 6 of the strap, on the side on which the cable harness 1 is to besubsequently wrapped by the strap 2. These facets permit first of all abetter application of the strap against the round cross-section of thecable harness in this region, and furthermore facilitate theintroduction of the strap into the slot 8.

The lock consists preferably of a type of polyamide and is produced byinjection molding. The strap used in combination with it may alsoconsist of polyamide.

In FIGS. 7 to 9, the method of locking will now be explained. The strap2 is placed around the cable harness 1. The ends 5 and 6 of the strapare extended through the slot 8 of the slot-body 4. The strap is thentensioned, the lock being pressed against the cable harness. Thisstarting stage is shown in FIG. 7.

Thereupon a pressure is exerted on the pin 12 to obtain the positionshown in FIG. 8 so that the bridges of material 21 break in the manneralready indicated in FIG. 7, and the pin 12 penetrates into the borehole14 while cupping at 15 the ends 5 and 6 of the strap.

FIG. 9 shows the final position of the process. The pin 12 has beenpushed further upward by the ram 23 until it has come, with theinterposition of the deep-drawn part 15 of the strap against theabutment 24. The ram 23 thereupon continues its axial pressure. Thisfurther advance causes the deformation of the pin 12 at the points 25and 26 into the regions of larger diameter of boreholes 13 and 14. It isclear that in this way a dependable form-locked connection of the pin 12with the body 4 of the lock has been effected. It is impossible toloosen the pin from the lock without destroying it. The ends 4 and 5 ofthe strap are dependably held in the lock. By their deformation at theedges of the hole, tearing-out is made very difficult. If greaterholding forces are required, two lock pins can be provided, as in thecase of the lock shown in FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 11, a large number of locks can be produced in a singleinjection molding process. The individual locks-as known in connectionwith other corresponding mass production articles produced by injectionmolding-are connected to each other by bridges of material which canvery easily be broken. In this way, they can be handled very easily.They can also be stored in this form.

Of course. they can also be connected with each other in such a mannerthat their side surfaces adjoin each other. This fonn of lock-strip"will be selected when the magazine which receives them is to dischargefrom the side into a corresponding tool.

While in the above embodiments it has always been assumed that thestraps and the lock are produced separately, FIG. 12 shows a form whichis desirable in many cases and in which strap 27 of reasonable length isconnected with the body 4 of the lock. This combined strap can beproduced for instance by an individual injection molding process.

The forms of lock described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12 areadvantageous in particular in combination with a specific tool for theproduction of the corresponding ties, the said tool being provided inaccordance with the invention with a holding device for the lock, atensioning device for the strap, a pushing device for the pin andpossibly means for cutting off the protruding ends of the strap. Due tothe fact that the closing of the lock in accordance with the inventionproceeds par ticularly rapidly (no screws need be tightened or no strapends wound on a mandrel, the tieing of cable harnesses by the tool ofthe invention is very rapid and simple. If, in accordance with a specialfeature of the invention, the tool is also provided with magazines forthe strap and the locks, the operator's equipment consists solely ofsuch a tool. In this way the operation is greatly simplified and thedanger of errors reduced.

In FIG. 14, there is shown in perspective a tool which combines all thefunctions to be carried out and is provided with strap and lockmagazines. In simpler embodiments of the tool, it is readily possible toomit individual features since they are substantially independent ofeach other, although described below in connection with each other withreference to this tool.

The tool has the form of manual tongs with a tool body 27 which isrigidly connected with the handle 28. A second handle 29 is movablysupported in the tool body 27. By suitable transmission means in thetool body, the handle 29 can be connected with the means for the closingof the lock and cutting off of the protruding ends of the strap, as wellas with the means for holding fast the lock which is being worked on atthe time.

In the rear part of the tool, there is supported the roll of strap 30.This roll of strap is connected with a knurled wheel 31 (FIG. 15). Thefeed end 32 of the trap is fed through a channel in the rear of the body27 of the tool to its front 33. being fed there into the holding opening34 for a lock.

The end of the strap can be tensioned by turning the roll by means ofthe knurled wheel 31 as will be explained later. The roll of strap isconnected with a ratchet 35 which prevents the roll of strap fromturning backwards out of the tensioned condition.

A magazine 36 is connected with the tool. In the case of the embodimentshown, the connection is formed by a hinge 37. The magazine 36 can beswung around said hinge from its rest position (FIGS. 14 to 16) into itsactive position (FIG. 20) with its mouth or aperture 38 in front of thewindow 34 so as to deposit a lock there.

The further structural details of the tool will now be described withreference to the cross-sectional drawings 15 to 22.

The body 27 of the tool is a hollow pressure or die-casting. The holdingwindow for the locks is formed on top and at the sides by rigid housingparts 42, 43, and of parts which are directly connected therewith. Theside parts 42 form a guide for a slide block which forms the bottom ofthe opening 34 and is movable by a certain amount up and down in saidguides within the front surface of the tool. The slide block has acentral bore. A ram 44 which is also movable upward and downward extendsfrom the bottom through said central bore. Said ram preferably has aconvex-curved front surface 45. It acts as thrust tool 23 of FIG. 9,while the upper part 43 of the opening forms the abutment correspondingto the part 24 of FIG. 9.

Into the opening, there discharges a channel 46 which extends on theback of the tool 27 from the region of the roll of strap 30 to thewindow openings 34 on the front side of the tool. This channel serves toreceive the strap 32 which is to be fed from the roll to the windowopening.

The roll is supported in a mount 47 in the rear part of the tool. It isplaced interchangeably on a roller support in a manner not shown in thedrawing, but known from corresponding devices, and is connected forjoint rotation with the shaft on which the rachet wheel 48 and theknurled wheel 31 are also firmly mounted.

With the ratchet wheel 48, there cooperates a pawl 49 which is held inengagement by a spring 50 unless a bar 51, which will be describedbelow, places it out of operation by pressing against its rear portion52. The pin 53 of the pawl is held fast in the housing.

In the front region of the channel 46, there is located a window 54which opens toward the top and through which the strap moving in thechannel is accessible. FIG. 18 shows a cross-section through the channel46 at the position of said window 54. The bottom of the channel isprovided with elevations and depressions 55 extending in longitudinaldirection which are intended to reduce the rubbing of the strap in thechannel in general or else in particular at this place.

The channel 46 has at its front portion a height which permits it toreceive two thicknesses of strap, one above the other. In this region ofthe channel, a ratchet locking pawl 57 which is firmly mounted on thetool body by the pin 56 engages through the window 54, the teeth 58 ofsaid pawl being directed backward. This pawl is of such a shape that inits forward position, the surface of its teeth comes against the upperof the two straps located in the channel in such a manner that itprevents its displacement in forward direction.

In a borehole 59 (FIG. 19), in the pawl 17, there is swingably supportedthe end of the rod 51. A swinging movement of the pawl 57 thereforeresults in a forward or backward movement of the rod 51. The rod 51 isurged forward by a spring 60 (FIG. 16). In this way, the pawl 57 is alsonormally held in its active position. At the same time, therefore, therod 51 is in the position in which it permits the locking pawl 49 toengage in the ratchet wheel 48.

Behind the pawl 57, a pawl 61 (FIGS. 19, 22) which is rotatable about apin 62 fixed in the housing, extends into the window 54. The lower endof said pawl 61 lies in the upper region of the window 54, in which astrap end 63 which has been pushed back in the channel from the frontmust lie. A spring 64 (FIG. 22), not indicated in all figures, pulls thepart of the pawl extending into the window forward.

In its upper region, the pawl 61 has a rearward-extending lockingprojection 65 (FIGS. 19, 22). This locking projection cooperates with astep 66 on the rod 51. In its active position, it prevents the advancingof the rod 51 under the action of the spring 60 and thus the entry intoaction of the pawl 57.

The slide block 40 is connected with a pusher 66 (FIG. 19) which extendspractically over the entire height of the front face of the tool and isguided therein. It has a number of cutouts 67, 68, 69 and 70 (FIG. 19).

Into the cutout 67. there engages the front end 71 of a lever 72. Theraising and lowering of the lever end 71 effects the raising andlowering of the pusher 66, together with the slide block 40.

Through the window 68, the front end 73 of the lever 74 extends. If thelever end 73 moves upward, the ram 44 is also moved upward.

The cutout 69 of the pusher 66 serves-as shown in FIGS. to 22for thepassage of the strap 32. The upper edge 75 (FIG. 19) of the cutout 69 isdeveloped as a knife edge which cooperates with the front edge of thelower wall of the channel 46.

The cutout 70 of the pusher 66 receives a projection 76 (FIGS. 19 to 22)of the pawl 57. If the pusher 66 is moved downward. the pawl 57 is swungrearward and therefore into inactive position by cooperation of theupper edge of the cutout 70 with the projection 76. The cutout 70 issufficiently large that upon the upward movement of the pusher 66, thelower edge of the cutout 70 does not collide with the projection 76 ofthe pawl held in inactive position.

The levers 72 and 74 are supported in the housing 27 on the pins 77 andtheir rear ends 78 and 79 extend into the region of coupling members orpins 80 and 81 which extend in the head of the handle 29 which issupported around the pin 82 which is fixed in the housing. This handleis pulled forward by the tension spring 83.

The levers 72 and 74 are held in their rest position by springs 72a and74a, in which position the front portion of the lever 74 is pulleddownward and the front portion of the lever 72 upward.

The pins 80 and 81 (FIG. 17) extend outward through curved slots (FIG.14) in the housing 27 and bear on the outside operating knobs 84 and 85.They are displaceably supported in boreholes 86 and 87 in the head 88 ofthe handle 29. Springs 89 and 90 respectively hold them in a position inwhich they are not in the way of the rear ends 78 and 79 of the levers72 and 74 respectively. By pressing on the knob 84 or 85, the handle 29can be brought as desired into communication via the pins 80 and 81respectively with the swivel levers 72 and 74 respectively.

The handle 29 is provided with a known safety device which consists of apawl 91 and a notching 92. The pawl 91 is swingable about a pin 93 whichis fixed in the housing, and it is pressed by the spring 94 into thenotching. This has the result that the handle can return from anactuated position into the rest position only when the notching 92 hasmoved entirely past the pawl and the handle has therefore been movedback all the way.

As stated, the magazine 36 (FIG. 14) is swingable in the hinge 37 aroundthe pin 56 (FIG. 15) which is fastened in the housing. The magazineconsists essentially of a housing which represents a prismatic guide 95for a row of locks 3. This row of locks is pressed by the spring 96 tothe mouth 38 of the magazine where in each case the first lock is lockedin its position by a special device. The arm 97 on which the magazine isseated is of such dimensions that the opening 38 can be swung preciselyin front of the window 34 in the front surface of the tool. 7

The method of locking for the first lock contained in the magazine canbe noted from FIGS. 19 and 20. A releasable arresting means or lockinglatch 98 engages under the force of a spring 99 into the borehole 14 ofthe first lock 100, provided that it is not raised by the lever 101.

The lever 101 extends in its position of rest shown in FIG. 15 in whichthe magazine is locked, beyond the front surface of the magazine 36 at aplace at which the slide block 40 is located corresponding to the frontsurface 33 of the tool when said block is pulled downward by the lever72.

The tool operates in the following manner:

I. Insertion of a Lock Into the Tool Since the distance between theupper part 43 of the window 34 and the slide block 40 in the restposition of the latter corresponds only to the size of the body 4 of thelock without the pin 12, the slide block must be moved down for theinsertion of a lock. This is done in the manner that the handle 29, bydepressing the knob 84 having the pin 80 thereon is brought into contactwith the lever 74 and then pulled. In this way, there is obtained theposition of the slide block shown in FIG. 19.

The magazine 36 is now swung in front of the window 34. The protrudingend of the lever 101 is forced back by the slide block 40 so that thefirst block 100 in the magazine is unlocked and is pushed into the openwindow by the pressure exerted by the spring 96 (FIG. 19).

When the handle 29 is released, the slide block 40 moves upward so thatits bore 45 surrounds the pin 12 and thus captures and holds the lock.

FIG. 20 shows clearly that the gripping block 40 has thus moved out ofthe region of action of the lever 101. Under the action of the spring99, the latter moves rapidly forward so that the lock 100, which is nowthe first in the magazine, is locked in position. The same locking takesplace when the magazine 36 is prematurely swung upward again.

2. Preparation of the Strap By the lowering of the pusher 66 which isconnected with the slide block 40, the pawl 57 was pushed back by thecooperation of the cutout 70 with the projection 76. This backwardpushing had the result that the projection 65 of the pawl 61 snappedinto position behind the step 66 of the rod 51 and after the lifting ofthe plate 66, prevents return of the pawl 57 into active position. Atthe same time, the pawl 49 was brought out of engagement with theratchet wheel 48 by the rod 51 so that the roll of strap 30 can beturned freely in the feeding direction.

The strap 32 coming from the roll is now inserted from the rear into thechannel 46. If it is still present in the channel from a precedingoperation, it can be pushed forward into the window 34 by grasping it byhand. It slides through the lock held in the window 34 and can now bepulled out to a sufficient length an placed around a cable harnesslocated in front of the tool. The loose end is then passed from in frontthrough the lock 4 (FIG. 21) back into the channel. In this connection,it strikes against the pawl 61 and pushes the latter back against theforce of the spring 64 so that the interlock is opened and the rod 51can swing back with the pawl 57. In this way, the free end of the strapis secured against being pulled out of the tool. At the same time, thepawl 49 swings back again into the active position, i.e., the roll 30cannot be unwound further.

3. Tightening of the Strap In order to tighten the strap, the knurledwheel 31 which is connected with the roll of strap 30 is turned in thedirection indicated by the arrow 102. In this way, the strap portionlying at the bottom in the drawings is pulled back and can be tightenedas desired. When the knurled wheel 31 is released, the strap can,however, not move back under its own elastic action since the lockingdevice 48, 49 prevents the wheel from turning backward. The tensionwhich has been achieved is therefore retained.

Between the knurled wheel and the roll there can possibly be inserted aslip clutch which is adjusted to a given frictional force. In this way,a given tensioning force which is at all times the same can be obtained.

4. Closing of the Strap Lock When the desired tension of the strap hasbeen obtained, and the strap 2 is thus taut around the harness 1, thelocking of the lock can take place. This is effected in the manner thatby pushing-in the pin 81 (FIG. 16), the head of the handle 29 is broughtagainst the swing lever 74 and the handle 29 is then pulled back and theram 44 (FIG. 22 is thus pushed up.

FIG. 15 shows the handle 29 in the full line position after it hasalready moved over a certain distance. It can now no longer movebackward should it be by error released since the safety device 91 to 94will not permit this. Rather the handle 29 must first be brought intothe end position shown in FIG. 16 (in other functional relationship)before the safety device 91 to 94 permits it to move back.

In this end position of the handle 29, the pressure ram 44 is in theposition shown in FIG. 22. The locking of the lock has in thisconnection progressed to the stage shown on an enlarged scale in FIG. 9,i.e., it is completed.

5. The Cutting Off of the Finished Tie The handle 29 has moved back intoits rest position indicated in dot-dash line in FIG. 15. The pin 80 isnow depressed by means of the knob 84 and the handle 29 thus broughtinto contact with the swing lever 72.

If the handle is pulled back, the front end 71 of the lever 72 and thusthe pusher 66 having a cutting edge 75 are moved downward. The strapends which appear still unsunk in FIG. 22 are therefore cut off and thetool can be released from the finished tie. In this connection, thearrangement can be such that before the cutting of the ends of thestrap, the pawl 49 is released so that the strap lying in the channel 46does not after the cutting rush back because of its tension.

In this connection, the slide block 40 is brought into its lowerposition so that the tool is now again ready to receive a new lock asset forth under Item I in the description of the operation.

The tool of the invention can be modified in various manners as comparedwith the embodiments specifically described here. Thus, for instance, arelatively simple tool could consist simply of tongs, by which ends of aprecut strap extending out of a lock are grasped, of a counter-pressuredevice which upon the tensioning can be supported with said tongsagainst the lock and a tensioning device which effects the moving thesupporting device away from the tongs, and finally of a pressure toolfor pushing the pin through the lock. This pressure tool need not evenform a structural unit with the tensioning device.

In the case of the tool which has been especially described above, thetension could also be produced in some other manner than via the straproll 30. For example, a simple clamping device could be used for the twoends of the strap extending rearward out of the lock, which could beconnected in the same way as the swing levers 72 and 74 alternately withthe handle 29 for the purpose of tensioning. Of course, differenthandles could also be provided for the individual functions.

A further possible modification consists of having the magazine openlaterally into the window 34 rather than being placed in front of it,and for the locks contained in said magazine to be directly, without anyinterlocking device, under spring pressure acting in the direction ofthe window so that when one lock has been removed from the window, thenext is automatically fed from the side. If locks which are not integralfrom the start with pins are used, another magazine can be provided forthe pins. In this connection, it would also be possible not to store thepins individually, but to hold them in stock for instance in the form ofa wire rod from which in each case a piece of suitable length is cut offand introduced into the lock.

In many cases, it is possible not to make the cable harness on the spotbut to produce it previously on a separate assembly table, In suchcases, use is made advisedly of stationary tools in connection withwhich the functions described above in connection with the handinstrument can be effected by mechanical drive.

What is claimed is:

1. A tool for tieing a bundle of cables or the like by means of a strapsecured in position on said bundle by a lock having a slot therein andcooperating with a pin, comprising a housing, holding means on saidhousing for positioning said lock adjacent to said cables, tensioningmeans on said housing for tightening said strap when placed around saidcables and inserted in said slot, operating means on said housing forcausing said pin to engage and thereby secure said strap and lock toeach other, and cutting means on said housing for cutting off excessivestrap material protruding from said lock at the side opposite to saidbundle.

2. A tool as specified in claim I, wherein said housing has an openingtherein and a magazine is provided accommodating a plurality of locks inaligned relationship and having a discharge aperture therein, saidmagazine being mounted on said housing for movement between a restposition and an active position in which said discharge aperture of themagazine is adjacent to said opening in the housing.

3. A tool as specified in claim 2, including resilient means on saidmagazine for biasing said plurality of locks in the direction towardssaid discharge aperture so that one of said locks is located at saidaperture, releasable arresting means on said magazine for engaging saidone lock positioned at said aperture, and control means connected tosaid magazine and operable to release said arresting means in the activeposition of said magazine for deposit of said one lock in said openingof the housing.

4. A tool as specified in claim 1, including supporting means on saidhousing for holding a roll of strap material, means on said housing forfeeding strap material toward said holding means for said lock, andclamping means connected to said feeding means for gripping the feed endof said strap after it has been passed around said cables, saidtensioning means being arranged to exert a pull on the strap portionconnected to said roll.

5. A tool for tieing cable harness by means of a strap secured inposition on said harness by a lock having a slot therein and cooperatingwith a pin made integral with but separable from said lock, comprising ahousing, holding means on said housing for positioning said lockadjacent to the cables to be tied, tensioning means on said housing fortightening said strap when placed around said cables and inserted insaid slot, a ram reciprocably supported on said housing and engageablewith said pin, actuating means on said housing for advancing said ramthrough a predetermined stroke to cause said pin to be separated fromsaid lock and engage and thereby secure said strap and lock to eachother, and cutting means on said housing for cutting off excessive strapmaterial protruding from said lock at the side opposite to said harness.

6. A tool as specified in claim 5, in which said holding means for thelock includes an abutment on said housing, and a gripping slide movableon said housing towards said abutment under resilient pressure andretractable away therefrom to respectively hold said lock between saidslide and abutment and release it therefrom, control means beingprovided on said housing for retracting said slide simultaneously withactuation of said cutting means.

7. A tool as specified in claim 6, wherein said gripping slide has abore therein for temporarily receiving a portion of said means includesa fixed handle on said housing, a pivot supported on said housing, amovable handle mounted on said pivot and cooperating with said fixedhandle, a first and a second coupling member movably mounted on saidmovable lever at opposite sides of said pivot, a first lever pivotallymounted on said housing and engageable at one of its ends with saidfirst coupling member and at its other end with said slide forcontrolling the action of said holding means for the lock, and a secondlever pivotally mounted on said housing and engageable at one of itsends with said second coupling member and at its other end with said ramfor actuating said ram.

1. A tool for tieing a bundle of cables or the like by means of a strapsecured in position on said bundle by a lock having a slot therein andcooperating with a pin, comprising a housing, holding means on saidhousing for positioning said lock adjacent to said cables, tensioningmeans on said housing for tightening said strap when placed around saidcables and inserted in said slot, operating means on said housing forcausing said pin to engage and theReby secure said strap and lock toeach other, and cutting means on said housing for cutting off excessivestrap material protruding from said lock at the side opposite to saidbundle.
 2. A tool as specified in claim 1, wherein said housing has anopening therein and a magazine is provided accommodating a plurality oflocks in aligned relationship and having a discharge aperture therein,said magazine being mounted on said housing for movement between a restposition and an active position in which said discharge aperture of themagazine is adjacent to said opening in the housing.
 3. A tool asspecified in claim 2, including resilient means on said magazine forbiasing said plurality of locks in the direction towards said dischargeaperture so that one of said locks is located at said aperture,releasable arresting means on said magazine for engaging said one lockpositioned at said aperture, and control means connected to saidmagazine and operable to release said arresting means in the activeposition of said magazine for deposit of said one lock in said openingof the housing.
 4. A tool as specified in claim 1, including supportingmeans on said housing for holding a roll of strap material, means onsaid housing for feeding strap material toward said holding means forsaid lock, and clamping means connected to said feeding means forgripping the feed end of said strap after it has been passed around saidcables, said tensioning means being arranged to exert a pull on thestrap portion connected to said roll.
 5. A tool for tieing cable harnessby means of a strap secured in position on said harness by a lock havinga slot therein and cooperating with a pin made integral with butseparable from said lock, comprising a housing, holding means on saidhousing for positioning said lock adjacent to the cables to be tied,tensioning means on said housing for tightening said strap when placedaround said cables and inserted in said slot, a ram reciprocablysupported on said housing and engageable with said pin, actuating meanson said housing for advancing said ram through a predetermined stroke tocause said pin to be separated from said lock and engage and therebysecure said strap and lock to each other, and cutting means on saidhousing for cutting off excessive strap material protruding from saidlock at the side opposite to said harness.
 6. A tool as specified inclaim 5, in which said holding means for the lock includes an abutmenton said housing, and a gripping slide movable on said housing towardssaid abutment under resilient pressure and retractable away therefrom torespectively hold said lock between said slide and abutment and releaseit therefrom, control means being provided on said housing forretracting said slide simultaneously with actuation of said cuttingmeans.
 7. A tool as specified in claim 6, wherein said gripping slidehas a bore therein for temporarily receiving a portion of said pin, saidram being reciprocable in said bore of the gripping slide for engagementwith said pin.
 8. A tool as specified in claim 5, including controlmeans supported on said housing for preventing said ram from movingbackward before said predetermined stroke is completed.
 9. A tool asspecified in claim 5, wherein said holding means for the lock includes agripping slide and said actuating means is connected to move said slideand said ram selectively.
 10. A tool as specified in claim 9, whereinsaid actuating means includes a fixed handle on said housing, a pivotsupported on said housing, a movable handle mounted on said pivot andcooperating with said fixed handle, a first and a second coupling membermovably mounted on said movable lever at opposite sides of said pivot, afirst lever pivotally mounted on said housing and engageable at one ofits ends with said first coupling member and at its other end with saidslide for controlling the action of said holding means for the lock, anda second lever pivotally mounted on said housing and engageabLe at oneof its ends with said second coupling member and at its other end withsaid ram for actuating said ram.